"From my heart, I will probably always fight this decision, that I will find hard to accept and perhaps even disagree with on some level.

"But in my head, what is important for us all to recognise is that this is an event that's bigger than Christchurch.

"We will get over it - we are Cantabs - and we're going to find the silver lining in everything. Just give us time."

Mr McCully said holders of tickets for the Christchurch matches would be offered refunds or tickets to reallocated games and the Government was discussing a travel deal to help such people get to Auckland on an "affordable basis".

The other South Island World Cup venues are Nelson's Trafalgar Park, Invercargill's Rugby Park and Dunedin's new stadium. All are smaller than Christchurch's 45,000-seat AMI Stadium.

It is unlikely Nelson or Invercargill will be considered for games between "big" nations.

Australia expect their two matches to be moved to Albany and Nelson - playing Italy at North Harbour Stadium on September 11 and Russia at Trafalgar Park on October 1.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill said yesterday's decision was tragic news, as Christchurch was a favourite venue for his country's team.

"We were going to spend 19 days there; it is [Wallaby coach] Robbie Deans' hometown and there were all sorts of strong connections for the Wallabies.

"We would like to stay close to Christchurch if we could, so perhaps Dunedin will end up as our base."

Deans, a former All Black, is a Canterbury local whose historic family homestead was wrecked by the first big earthquake on September 4.

He said he was not surprised by yesterday's decision.

"The people of Christchurch have more important issues to deal with as they endeavour to rebuild their city and their lives," Deans said.

Mr O'Neill said shifting the two quarter-finals to Auckland would not be difficult, but moving the other five matches would be "very challenging".

Invercargill could host England versus Georgia on September 18, meaning Argentina-Scotland or Argentina-England would be played in Dunedin.

Dunedin's under-construction roofed stadium has still to get clearance from the International Rugby Board and RNZ 2011, although Carisbrook Stadium Trust chairman Malcolm Farry said there "was no doubt" it would be ready by the August 1 deadline.

The city's historic Carisbrook ground is being maintained as a back-up venue.

Yesterday, World Cup organisers said contingency planning was at an advanced stage, but the allocation process was complex, as accommodation, transport and the broadcasting of matches had to be taken into account.

It is not only shifting the matches that is providing a logistical nightmare. Seven teams were to have used Christchurch as a training base for periods ranging from Argentina's three weeks to Georgia's three days.

Australia, England, Scotland, Italy and Russia were also to have been based in the city during the tournament.

Now, RNZ 2011 must find new homes for these teams.

Check tomorrow's New Zealand Herald for a free Rugby World Cup wall planner.